Boathouse Concerts
Since 1992, Pam and Charlie Weber have hosted live music at Weber & Co., the warehouse where Charlie restores classic wood boats. The Boathouse Concerts focus on traditional and contemporary folk music, as it often tells of a way of life that existed or is threatened with extinction – much like the historic waterfront artist colony at Fifth Avenue Point. At the Boathouse, the audience enjoys an intimate setting, shares homemade desserts and has an opportunity to meet and visit with the musicians. In an age of stadium extravaganzas, with bands on oversized screens, ticket (and parking) prices equally oversized, Boathouse guests sit just feet away from the performers for a small donation, all of which is given to the entertainers. This is an experience rarely available to inner city working residents.
For Performers
The Boathouse Concerts are produced by the Fifth Avenue Institute, which participates in a growing network of organizations providing “infill” bookings for small venue traveling performers (see HouseConcerts.com, Concertsinyourhome.com and FolkMusic.org.) The Institute also works with members of the Far-West regional chapter of the International Folk Alliance , which fosters and promotes traditional, contemporary and multi-cultural folk music, dance and related performing arts. Additionally, the Institute Board members bring attention to acts playing at regional festivals, and invitations are extended with the message that an appreciative audience can be found at the Boathouse.
Concert Protocol
The Fifth Avenue Institute produces the Boathouse Concert Series as part of its mission to preserve artisan communities and encourage art and music in neighborhoods.
Unless otherwise noted:
Doors open at 7 pm; Performances begin at 8 pm.
Donation of $20 goes to the musicians
Attendance by reservation only (over 18 only)
Reservations: boatwork@aol.com
Guests are asked to bring a dessert, savory or beverage to share
There is always a barrel by the door for the Food Bank
Boathouse Concerts
For further information about upcoming concerts, or inquiries about performing at the Boathouse, contact: boatwork@aol.com
Future Boathouse Concerts
It's never too early to put music on your calendar!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Fiddle Summit 2012
What can we say? Fiddle Summits rock! This
may have been the first annual Fiddle Summit
at the Boathouse. Robyn, John and Brian
engaged our group for the entire evening, and
their final set was amazing! We strongly suggest
that other house concert hosts consider Fiddle Summits!
Three well known and respected Bay Area fiddlers graced our stage, each with one accompanying musician, each for one set. Then they gathered on stage for a showdown! Robyn Mercurio is a registered Suzuki Violin instructor, has a special interest in working with beginning adults, very
young children and children with special needs. She instructs Suzuki techniques with traditional fiddle styles and is also a co-founder of Roots Music. John Pedersen is the grandson of a noted Heldeberg Mountain fiddler and a multi-year winner of the Marin County Fair Fiddle Competition. He is a founding member of the Roadoilers and performs with a local Irish Traditional music group. John is a luthier and has worked at musical instrument repair s in New York, Toronto, San Francisco, and at his own store, Amazing Grace Music in San Anselmo. Brian Theriault has a band called Fun With Finnoula featuring Burke Trieschmann and Leonardo Cartes and plays with Skip Henderson and the Starboard Watch. Brian occasionally runs the sound at the Boathouse and has accompanied many of our performers.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore
“Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore are two
national musical treasures. Combining blues
and bluegrass (and everything in-between)
with their soulful voices and stunning
instrumental chops, Mollie and Rich are a
constant source of joy and inspiration to me. They are truly among the best out there keeping American music alive and vital.” - Dave Alvin Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore knocked our socks off! They brought a range of much from Tom Waits, David Francey, Dave Van Ronk, and Rogers and Hamerstein!
We new they were good -- we now know they are GREAT! It was an evening of great music, interspersed with Rich's dry humor. If you didn't get to see them here, they will be at Strawberry -- and we'll do our best to get them back to the Boathouse!
Thanks again to Dick Brundle for introducing us to Mollie and Rich!
Check out Mollie's website: http://www.mollieobrien.com/
Past Boathouse Concerts - 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Michael McNevin
Michael promised to bring friends, and he
performed a first set (accompanied by Patrick
McClellan on bass, of all original music, and
somenew songs that will be on the CD that's in
the works. He surprised all of us with a second set that opened withSteve Smulian, our incomparable sound engineer, who gave a reading and followed with a song. Interspersed with Michael's original music were performances with and by Brian Theriault on
fiddle, Laura Zucker sang a touching "Memorial Day," and local
favorites, the T Sisters performed an original. Michael owns the Mudpuddle Shop, in downtown Niles, CA, where he has hosted numerous concerts and jams, and he books and produces summer concerts in the Niles Plaza.
Michael sings “Silver Hair” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhyOC2x7wgk
More info about Michael is at: http://michaelmcnevin.com/
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Adler and Hearne
We’re delighted that Lynn Adler and Lindy
Hearne are returning to the Boathouse from
their Spring Hollow Organic Song Farm in
the piney woods outside the rural arts hamlet of Winnsboro,Texas They’re bringing with them new music, a new CD, and their soulful folk-jazz blues-grass.
From a recent review:
“What Adler vocally contributes in harmony and beauty, Hearne contributes in power and presence.
The two make a fantastic pairing in all respects, though it’s the vocal blending that shines the most.”
Lindy and Lynn stopped by for coffee two years ago. We visited, they sang a couple of songs, and we were hooked. After they performed at the Boathouse, we followed them to two other performances in the Bay Area – we just couldn’t get enough. We think you’ll feel the same way when you see and hear them perform their soulful (and sometimes funny) original
music.
See them perform "Take It Back"
Their website: www.adlerandhearne.com
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Jack Williams
We cannot wait for Jack Williams to return
to the Boathouse. His performance last year
kept us on the edges of our seats the entire
evening. Our professional sound man called him a “force of nature.”
Jack is counted among the most dynamic performers on today's "folk" circuit." Jack is considered a "musician's musician", an uncommonly unique guitarist, a writer of vivid songs with a strong sense of place, and a storyteller in an old Southern tradition. Vic Heyman, in SING OUT!, wrote, “He is one of the strongest guitar players in contemporary folk.”
Playing for more than 50 house concerts each year, Jack enjoys the intimacy of that venue most of all. Jack is a sought-after artist on all contemporary acoustic music stages, from coffeehouses to music halls and city arts stages. He has eight CDs of original music on the Wind River label, the newest being “The High Road Home.”
Jack performs “Morning Sun”
Visit Jack's Website: http://www.jackwilliamsmusic.com
Also Appearing at the Boathouse in 2012:
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Henhouse (Sherry Austin, Sharon Allen, Pattie Maxine, and Tracy Parker
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Ray Bonneville with Nina Gerber
October (date TBD)
Johnsmith
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 2:00 pm
The California Honeydrops
Returning to the Boathouse for the third time,
The California Honeydrops dig deep into the
roots of American music and embrace the
traditions of blues, gospel, second line New
Orleans jazz, and early R&B with stellar performances of traditional as well as their own innovative music.Since their formation four years ago in East Bay BART stations, The California Honeydrops have completed six European tours, spread honey on crowds throughout the US, and recorded two full length albums of original music, all without the help of a record label or major booking agency. They deliver an irresistible sound that blends the energy and intimacy of a street performance, undeniable talent and musicianship, and the soul and fervor of a spiritual street parade. Band leader and front man Lech Wierzynski studied trumpet with Marcus Belgrave (Ray Charles), then moved to Oakland, honing his craft with Maria Muldaur and Dan Hicks,growing equally as a trumpeter, singer, and guitarist. The vibrant rhythm section of The California Honeydrops is fueled by saxophonist Johnny Bones and drummer Ben Malament, Doug Stuart on bass, and Charles Hickox on keys.
This was our first Sunday afternoon Boathouse Concert -- it won't be the last!
